Lola Mayor

Work set to start this summer on upgrade to Portchester Crematorium

A colourful addition has been unveiled in QA Hospital this week after a class of adult art students donated an 18-piece collage to brighten up its corridors.

Created by the adults who attend Beverley Daniels’ evening art classes in Whiteley, the painting is based on the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt’s country garden with sunflowers.

The painting is at the end of the main corridor past Costa on A level.

Beverley said: ‘It was really exciting seeing the painting develop week by week. The students were involved in selecting the image and had to employ their colour mixing skills and attention to detail.

‘Most importantly they had to make their sections join together smoothly with one another. I expect it took them all around 250 hours to complete the painting.

‘We are all thrilled that the painting can be enjoyed by patients, visitors and staff at the hospital.’

Peter Mellor, director of corporate affairs and business development at Portsmouth Hospitals, said: ‘We are very grateful to be given such a beautiful painting – it’s a wonderful addition to the hospital.

‘The members of the Whiteley art class are obviously very talented. We have received some excellent patient feedback as it is in such a well-used part of the hospital.’

Chris Bradbury, one of Beverley’s students who helped create the piece, said: ‘Beverley is very positive and encouraging. She always finds something good in our work even when we aren’t sure about it ourselves.

‘It’s a lot of fun and these group projects are a great way to get to know each other. We’re all really pleased and excited that our painting is on display at QA Hospital.’

Michelle Gibbs, arts co-ordinator at the Omega Centre, said: ‘It’s a wonderfully uplifting painting full of life and energy. The class have captured the colours beautifully and I hope it brings much pleasure to the hospital.’